A Comprehensive Bowflex PR1000 Review – Is It Worth The Price?

Bowflex PR1000

Price

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If you are like most people I know, you probably don’t have a clue as to where exercise fits into your busy schedule. Let us be honest here. When family and work responsibilities bog you down, it will not be possible to make the time to drive to your local gym to work out then head back home.

How many times have you actually visited the gym only to find long queues of sweaty people looking to shed all those burgers they had during last weekend’s cookout at all workout stations?

I am guessing many.

Does It Cost Too Much To Set Up A Gym At Home?

Well, if you are like me and are frustrated with the available options at your local gym, it is time to consider working out at home. Running is a great form of cardio but in case you live in those areas that experience all four seasons, you probably understand that running out when the temperatures are below freezing is never much fun. Like me, you may have thought of investing in pricey weights for strength training after seeing to many As-Seen-On-TV ads. The cost of benches, plates, and dumbbells do add up.

I thought about this too and discovered that the market is littered with all-in-one home workout equipment. Unfortunately, most of these machines cater to either strength training or cardio but not both which is quite a bummer. The worst thing is the fact that they are made of substandard materials. They are designed for use for just a couple of weeks after which you toss them to a corner of your basement as they await the next garage sale.

Enter The Bowflex PR1000. This is one of the very few properly built workout machines that will deliver balanced workout and is made of quality materials.

Let us dig deeper to see what makes the Bowflex PR1000 so different from the rest.

Power Rods Rather Than Pulleys and Free Weights

The Bowflex PR1000 uses flexible polymer rods instead of free weights to create resistance. In combination with appropriate ankle cuffs, hand grips, and rollers, you can use the ‘power’ rods for a full complement of lower-body and upper-body strength training workouts.

The power rods are lightweight and compact meaning that you never have to cart around hundreds of pounds of steel plates just to prepare for your next set. The brainy folks over at Bowflex say that the power rods deliver necessary resistance without inertia thus making it possible for you to work out without having to strain your joints. As an extra bonus, the resistance without inertia makes it possible to ‘cheat’ your way through your workouts.

Reasons For Buying The Bowflex PR1000

Ever since it was introduced back in 2008 when the financial markets were crashing, the PR 1000 has been one of the most popular workout machines from Bowflex. Don’t fret however, since its price tag won’t leave a dent in your bank account. In addition, the handy built-in rowing machine will help you not only to build strength but also to burn calories. With over thirty different workouts, you can literally circuit train every single day of the week without getting bored. Some of the workouts include:

– Stiff –Arm, Narrow, and Reverse Grip Pulldowns
On Amazon, the PR1000 has over 250 reviews that earn it 4 and 5 stars from over 90% of reviewers. This workout machine is particularly popular among casual fitness enthusiasts and families, and earns high marks for its fast setup, ease of assembly, and versatile workout options. Most reviewers bought the PR 1000 as part of a bigger fitness plan and discovered that daily workouts for some weeks produced visible results in terms of body appearance. Those reviewing the machine mentioned various features including:

– A folding bench for easy storage

– A small footprint of just 100 by 78 inches
– A sliding seat for aerobic rowing

– A workout placard for easy reference

– Upholstered roller cushions for leg workouts

The consensus among the experts is that the Bowflex PR1000 is a wonderful entry-level workout machine. In fact, About.com’s Paul Rogers chose the PR 1000 as the top pick for the under $600 home gym category. The PR 100 is also equally popular with various fitness gurus including Wes McDermott from TheHomeGymCritic.com as well as Nick Sharp from WxFitness.com

Is The Bowflex PR1000 Suitable For You?

The PR1000 is a versatile and durable piece of home workout equipment but it is not the ideal workout solution for all. The PR 1000 has two major criticisms. First, on the PR 1000, weight training is limited to a 210-pound maximum weight limit not unlike the bowflex m5 model. If you are like the majority of Bowflex owners, you will most likely never even come close to this maximum.

However, in case you are seriously into body building or are a dedicated weight lifter, then the PR 1000 is less than ideal for you. It is however worth noting that some people have figured out a ‘hack’ for upgrading the resistance on the PR 1000. Therefore, if you know your way around your toolbox and have no qualms voiding your warranties, it is possible to take the PR1000 all the way to the next Strongman contest.

The second criticism of the PR1000 is that it does not include an instructional DVD to help you learn how to set up your workout routine. This is quite a bummer because such things come standard nowadays with all kinds of exercise equipment.

Most reviewers feel that a video is probably the easiest way for beginners to get their feet wet considering that the Power Rod workouts feel slightly different from regular workouts using free weights. Some customers however did find good instructional videos on YouTube while some felt that the instructional material that came with the machine was sufficient.

Buying A PR1000

You can buy Bowflex products from various brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers. You can even choose to get one direct from the manufacturer whereby you may be eligible for special financing using a Nautilus credit card. This is just like buying a new washing machine: no interest will be charged if you clear your bill within 18 months.

Your PR1000 will be covered by an extensive warranty regardless of where you buy it. Bowflex covers the power rods for 5 years, while the parts and frame come with 60-day and 1-year warranties respectively. If you choose to buy directly from Bowflex, the purchase will be covered by a buy back guarantee: you get to return your workout machine for whatever reason within 6 weeks of delivery.

Depending on your retailer of choice, the PR1000 currently ranges in price from anywhere just below $400 to just around $600. When you start shopping around, the major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon need to be at the top of your list. However, it is good to note that the PR1000 is a heavy machine and depending on the location of the retailer, shipping costs vary widely. When you compare prices, be sure to factor in the shipping cost.

In conclusion, the Bowflex PR1000 is an outstanding piece of all-in-one home gym equipment. It is a durable and flexible machine with thousands of satisfied customers and solid expert reviews. If you would like to avoid waiting in line all day at the gym just to work out, consider getting the Bowflex PR1000 today.